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From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Healthcare Cost
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Date: 30 Oct 90 04:15:46 GMT
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Index Number: 11365

We've had some discussions here about the escalating costs of
healthcare and the imminent collapse of the system.  A current
article in the Pittsburgh Press sheds a bit of light on some
of the underlying conditions.  It seems the Central Blood Bank
of Pittsburgh has lost its tax exempt status as a non-profit
public service institution.  Among the reasons for withdrawing
the tax exemption were the following:

The blood bank made a profit of $2.4 million in its 1989-90
fiscal year.

The president of the blood bank is paid $140,000 a year, given
a Lexus automobile, and membership in several exclusive (and
expensive) clubs.

A senior vice president of the blood bank is paid $100,000 a
year.  He doesn't get a Lexus, has to get by with a mere Lincoln,
but he does get the club memberships.

All the revenues supporting this profit and lifestyle are derived
from charges to hospitals for blood and blood products collected
and distributed by the blood bank.  Blood money?  Naturally the
hospitals pass this cost on to the healthcare consumers after
adding an appropriate markup.  After all, they need those
Lincolns and Lexuses too.

I remember back when they made do with Cadillacs and BMWs.

... Caveat Emptor!

--
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